If you’re anything like me, your travel photos are some of the most cherished souvenirs you bring back from your adventures. The camera you choose to document these memories plays a crucial role in the quality of those keepsakes. Over the years, I’ve experimented with various camera types, from SLRs to point-and-shoots, and even relied on my smartphone. Through these experiences, including a few unfortunate camera losses along the way, I’ve gained valuable insights into what makes a camera truly great for travel photography. Let’s dive into finding the Best Camera For Travel Photography for your next trip.
Alt text: Travel photographer Chris holding an SLR camera while exploring the scenic landscapes of Meteora, Greece.
SLR Cameras: The Traditional Choice for Quality
For many years, my go-to camera for travel was an SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera, specifically models from the Canon Rebel series like the T5i. SLRs have long been favored by photography enthusiasts for good reason, offering a blend of quality and control.
One of the key advantages of an SLR is its optical viewfinder. When composing your shot, you’re looking directly through the lens, providing a true-to-life preview of the final image. This is a significant benefit for accurate framing and focusing compared to cameras that rely solely on electronic viewfinders or LCD screens.
The image quality of an SLR is largely determined by two main components: the lens and the sensor. The sensor, essentially the digital equivalent of film, captures light and converts it into an image. A larger sensor generally allows the camera to gather more light, resulting in better performance in low-light conditions and greater dynamic range. “Full-frame” sensors, matching the size of traditional 35mm film, are highly sought after for their superior image quality.
SLRs also offer unparalleled versatility thanks to their interchangeable lens system. Unlike point-and-shoot cameras with fixed lenses, SLRs allow you to swap lenses to suit different shooting situations.
Another important factor, especially for capturing action shots or wildlife, is burst shooting speed. SLRs typically excel at capturing multiple frames per second, increasing your chances of getting the perfect shot in dynamic situations.
Many serious photographers prefer shooting in RAW format rather than JPEG. RAW files retain more image data, providing greater flexibility in post-processing and allowing for finer adjustments to exposure, white balance, and other parameters. However, RAW files are larger and require more editing time.
Modern SLRs are also capable video cameras, with many models offering high-definition video recording. For serious video work, consider an SLR with an external microphone jack for improved audio quality using shotgun or lavalier microphones.
My Experience with SLR Travel Photography
My Canon Rebel T5i served me well on numerous travels. While not Canon’s top-of-the-line model, it struck a good balance between performance and affordability. When traveling to destinations like Morocco, Cambodia, or India, carrying a less expensive camera can also be a practical consideration, reducing the risk and impact of theft or loss.
Despite the lens interchangeability of SLRs, I found that traveling with multiple lenses could be cumbersome. Often, I wouldn’t have the ideal lens mounted when a photo opportunity arose. For travel, I prioritized lens versatility, opting for a single zoom lens that could handle both wide-angle and telephoto shots.
My standard travel lens was a Tamron AF 18-250mm zoom lens. This lens offered a good range, allowing me to capture wide landscapes and zoom in for detailed shots. It featured a manual zoom, which I found faster than electronic zoom, and reliable autofocus. While higher-quality lenses are available, including Canon’s own offerings, the Tamron provided excellent value and flexibility for travel photography.
Although my SLR could shoot in RAW, I primarily used JPEG format for travel photos. My main purpose was documenting my travels for blog posts, and JPEG quality was sufficient for this. JPEG files also saved storage space on memory cards and my computer, and required less post-processing effort.
Battery life was another advantage of my Canon T5i. On many trips, a single battery charge would last for several days of shooting. However, using flash frequently or shooting a lot of video would drain the battery more quickly.
While I appreciated the image quality and versatility of my SLR, its weight was a drawback. The Rebel T5i with a lens weighed around 2.2 pounds. Carrying this weight around my neck or in my bag all day could become tiring. The bulkier size also made packing the camera in a backpack less convenient, especially when trying to keep valuables out of checked luggage.
Point-and-Shoot Cameras: Compact and Convenient for Travel
For my more recent camera purchase, I actually returned to a point-and-shoot camera, the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS. This might seem like a step backward in photographic terms, but modern point-and-shoot cameras offer significant advantages for travel, particularly in terms of portability and ease of use.
Modern point-and-shoot cameras are capable of producing excellent image quality, especially in good lighting conditions. Like SLRs, many offer both automatic and manual shooting modes, face detection, autofocus, and video recording capabilities.
The primary advantage of point-and-shoot cameras is their compact size and light weight. On a trip to India, I used the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS, which boasts an impressive 65x optical zoom lens, yet remains remarkably portable. This camera allowed me to capture a wide range of perspectives, from wide-angle scenes to distant subjects, even from a moving boat.
Compared to my 2.2-pound SLR setup, the PowerShot SX60 HS weighs only 1.43 pounds and is significantly smaller. This lighter, more compact form factor makes it much easier to carry a point-and-shoot camera all day, increasing the likelihood that you’ll have it with you when a photo opportunity arises. After all, the best camera is the one you actually have with you.
The Canon PowerShot SX60 HS was also more affordable than my SLR setup, costing around $449 compared to the $898 for the Canon T5i and lens.
My Experience with Point-and-Shoot Travel Photography
One aspect of the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS that I found less ideal was its electronic viewfinder (EVF) and LCD screen. Unlike the optical viewfinder of an SLR, point-and-shoot cameras use an LCD screen or EVF to display the scene. Even when using the eyepiece, you’re still viewing an LCD, which can be less clear and consume more battery power. The continuous operation of the LCD meant that the battery life of the PowerShot SX60 HS was shorter, requiring more frequent recharging. On a boat trip on the Ganges River in Varanasi, the battery lasted only a single morning of heavy shooting.
Another difference was the zoom operation. While the PowerShot SX60 HS had a powerful zoom, I found the automatic zoom less responsive than the manual zoom of my SLR lens. With practice, I felt I could focus and shoot faster with my SLR, potentially capturing more fleeting moments.
Despite these differences, I was generally pleased with the image quality from the point-and-shoot and greatly appreciated its portability.
The Canon PowerShot SX60 HS also includes built-in Wi-Fi, allowing for easy photo transfer to my iPhone for quick sharing on Instagram.
Mirrorless Cameras: The Modern Hybrid
Mirrorless cameras represent a relatively newer category that bridges the gap between SLRs and point-and-shoot cameras. They offer the image quality and lens versatility of SLRs in a more compact and lightweight body by eliminating the mirror mechanism found in traditional SLRs.
Many photographers have adopted mirrorless systems, such as the Sony Alpha a6000 series, as part of their travel photography gear.
Mirrorless cameras generally deliver excellent image quality comparable to SLRs. However, they often come with a higher price tag, especially when paired with comparable zoom lenses. Battery life can also be a concern with some mirrorless models, as they tend to consume power more quickly than SLRs.
Despite these potential drawbacks, mirrorless cameras are rapidly gaining popularity for travel photography due to their combination of image quality, features, and portability. My next camera might very well be a mirrorless model.
Smartphone Cameras: The Camera You Always Have
It’s impossible to discuss travel photography without acknowledging the ubiquitous smartphone camera. Modern smartphones, like my iPhone 7 (and newer models offer even more advanced capabilities), can capture surprisingly good photos, especially in well-lit conditions. They also excel at video recording, often featuring built-in image stabilization that rivals expensive SLR lenses.
During a trip to the Philippines, I filmed a Jeepney ride with both my iPhone and my SLR. Ultimately, the iPhone video was far superior due to its effective image stabilization, minimizing the shakiness inherent in handheld video while moving. Since that trip, my iPhone has become my primary video recording device for casual travel footage. While zooming is possible on larger cameras, the amplified camera shake often makes zoomed video unusable without a tripod.
Smartphones are also incredibly convenient for quickly sharing photos on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Best Travel Camera
As you can see, there’s a wide range of excellent camera options available for travel photography. The best camera for travel photography ultimately depends on your individual needs, priorities, and travel style. Consider factors like image quality, portability, versatility, features, and budget when making your decision.
What camera type and model have you found to be the best for your travel photography adventures? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below!
